Users of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet have been able to jailbreak their device for a while now, although there has been no official word from RIM until now on how this will affect your device.
RIM’s Adrian Stone, who is the Director of the BlackBerry Security Incident Response Team, has released the following statement, which clarifies RIM’s stance on jailbreaking the tablet.
“To be clear, RIM recommends against installing any jailbreaking tool. Customers who use a jailbreaking tool on BlackBerry products void the manufacturer warranty and also increase the long-term risk of negatively impacting the stability and user experience of their BlackBerry products.”
Understanding Jailbreaking
Jailbreaking refers to the process of removing software restrictions imposed by the device’s manufacturer. For the BlackBerry PlayBook, this means gaining root access to the operating system, allowing users to install applications and make system changes that are not normally permitted. While this can provide greater flexibility and customization options, it also comes with significant risks.
One of the primary concerns with jailbreaking is security. By bypassing the built-in protections, users expose their devices to potential malware and other security threats. This is particularly concerning for business users who may store sensitive information on their tablets. Additionally, jailbreaking can lead to system instability, causing crashes and other performance issues.
RIM’s Position on Jailbreaking
RIM’s official stance, as stated by Adrian Stone, is clear: they do not support jailbreaking. The company emphasizes that using jailbreaking tools voids the manufacturer’s warranty. This means that if your device encounters any issues after being jailbroken, RIM will not provide support or repairs under warranty.
Moreover, RIM highlights the long-term risks associated with jailbreaking. These include potential negative impacts on the stability and user experience of the device. For instance, unauthorized modifications can interfere with system updates, leading to compatibility issues and other problems down the line.
You can find out more details over at the BlackBerry for Business Blog.
Examples and Alternatives
There have been numerous instances where users have faced significant issues after jailbreaking their devices. For example, some users have reported that their PlayBooks became unresponsive or experienced frequent crashes after installing unauthorized software. In some cases, these issues were so severe that the devices became unusable, requiring a complete system restore.
For those looking to enhance their PlayBook experience without jailbreaking, there are several alternatives. RIM offers a range of official apps and updates that can improve functionality and performance. Additionally, users can explore third-party app stores that provide a variety of applications compatible with the PlayBook, without the need for jailbreaking.
In conclusion, while jailbreaking the BlackBerry PlayBook may offer some short-term benefits, the long-term risks and potential voiding of the warranty make it a risky proposition. RIM’s clear stance against jailbreaking underscores the importance of maintaining device security and stability. Users are encouraged to explore official channels for enhancing their PlayBook experience and to consider the potential consequences before attempting to jailbreak their devices.
Source TFTS
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